Carlbev FiltrationTotal fi ltration for the soft drinks and fruit juice industry

DEPTH FILTRATION FOR VALUABLE LIQUIDS

A large range of soft drinks and

beverages are treated with Carlson filters

Carlbev Filtration

FRUIT JUICE FILTRATION

Total filtration for the soft drinks and fruit juice industry

The purity of the sugar solution is measured in ICUMSA

(International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar

Analysis) or RBU (Reference colour Base Units). A high Icumsa or

RBU reading (150 – 450) indicates a poor quality sugar which will

require a considerable degree of processing. The internationally

accepted standard for sugar syrup of 65 Brix is 45 ICUMSA. For

high quality syrups a simple one-stage “polishing” step using

relatively open pore sheets (Carlson XE20H or the all- cellulose

EE3.0H) will suffice. Flow rates of 950l/m2/hour can be achieved

with high quality, dilute syrups.

Sugar with a high ICUMSA measurement (unrefined sugars) may

contain significant levels of impurities which will require removal

to satisfy drink quality requirements. Filtration through a cake of

diatomaceous earth (kieselguhr) on a support sheet (Carlson

W2N) within a plate and frame filter press with high voids volume

will achieve this end result. It is possible that, where high levels of

colour also need removal, powdered activated carbon will be

added to the syrup prior to passage through the filter. The DE will

also serve to trap the excess carbon. Typically for this application

0.5% w/w (or more) is added to the syrup as a filter aid prior to

batch filtration and 500 g/m2 (of filter plate area) is applied as a

pre-coat. Flow rate could be as slow as 200-300 l/m2/hour with

syrups containing high concentrations of diatomaceous earth

and activated carbon. The second polishing/clarifying stage of

the process is carried out using filter sheets – typically XE20H or

XE50H. If a third, sterile, stage is necessary, Carlson XE675H or

XE900H grade filter sheets would be appropriate.

A very similar first stage process can be used for Fruit Juice. The

second stage is more dependent on the type of juice to be

treated and the nature of contaminants to be removed. Filter

sheets in the range XE20H to XE200H would be appropriate.

Process Water

The water used in the production of soft drinks and/or diluted

juices also needs filtration. The degree to which filtration is

necessary will depend upon the water source and filter cartridges

would normally be the filtration method of choice. Carlson’s

range of process, activated carbon for chlorine removal and

membrane filter cartridges covers the full breadth of this

requirement.

The production of soft drinks involves the filtering of sugar

syrup, fruit juices and water either as process or drinking

water. The lenticular module offers a compact, self-contained

liquid filtration solution using proven media technology.

Carlson filters are used in some of

the worlds freshest fruit juices

Carlson filter housing and

press used within the

beverage industry

Lenticular filtration

Lenticular modules offer a compact, self-contained liquid

filtration solution using proven media technology. It is perfectly

possible to use this technology using support, carbon, polishing

or sterile filter media.

Carlson lenticular filters are essentially composed of depth filter

media supported on a polypropylene skeleton and supplied in

modular form normally comprising 16 cells of either 12” (300mm)

or 16” (400mm) diameter. They offer all the advantages of

traditional sheet filtration but in a totally enclosed, sterile

environment. They are designed to fit industry standard housings

holding 1,2,3 or 4 modules.

Carbon treatment

For certain types of higher quality syrups it is possible to achieve

decolourisation using a filter sheet from the CarlCarb range

which are impregnated with activated carbon. These sheets not

only decolourise but can also act as a polishing sheet. As contact

time with the carbon is necessary, flow rates in the range of 150

to 350 l/m2/hour would be recommended subject to the degree

of decolourising required. Colour removal by filtration through

carbon media filtration can be upto 50% more efficient than a

batch process using powdered activated carbon. The limiting

factor is the weight of activated carbon which the cellulose

media is capable of holding. To offset this Carlson has recently

announced its CarboPlus lenticular module holding upto 25%

more carbon by weight than a traditional module.

Other benefits of carbon modules in relation to batch

processes are:

• One process step only

• Not labour intensive

• No dust problems or health issues associated with dust

• No loose carbon powder or granules on site

• Cleaner working environment

• No removal problems

• No “messy” cake or risk of batch to batch contamination

• Consistent performance eliminating possibility of product

re-works

• Easier and cheaper disposal costs

• No second stage filtration to remove carbon fines. Carlson

modules incorporate backing papers to trap these fines.

SOFT DRINKS FILTRATION

FILTER SHEETSTo eliminate the specifi c contaminants associated with

the filtration of soft drinks Carlson has a range of

fi ltration media specifi cally for these purposes which

are available in all customary sizes. Special formats to

suit a variety of fi lter presses are available upon request.

Further information on the Carlson range of sheets can

be obtained either from your Carlson representative or

the company website.

COMPLEMENTARY FILTRATIONCartridges, Bags and Housings.

Carlson can also offer a comprehensive range of

cartridges from wound, thermal bonded and pleated

through to PES membranes as well as bags in felts of

Viscose, Rayon, Polypropylene, Polyester, Nylon or Nylon

monofilament. They are available for either new

application or to retrofi t to current installations. A full

range of housings are also available to compliment this

range.

For further information please see our Carlcart

brochure.

FILTRATION EQUIPMENT AND SPARESNew fi lter equipment

Carlson offers a comprehensive range of new fi ltration

equipment, incorporating a full range of fi lter presses

and plate and frame fi lters. The range includes plate

and frame and sheet filters from 20x20cm to

120x120cm of varying lengths. Manual models and

fully automatic closing systems are available. Test

equipment i.e. 6cm housings and 2 sheet 20cm press is

also available.

Filter spares

Another important element of Carlson’s support service

is to supply spare parts for their fi lter range. These are

categorised into:

a. Consumable spares which include eyelet

seals in a host of materials

including Nitrile, Silicone, Natural Rubber,

EPDM, Butyl and Viton.

b. Servicing spares including pump spares,

sight glasses, valve diaphragms and pressure

gauges etc. Service kits for hydraulic fi lter

press closing systems are also available.

Carlbev FiltrationTotal fi ltration for the soft drinks and fruit juice industry

sales@carlson.co.uk • www.carlson.co.uk